"The Box-Car Children" by Gertrude Chandler Warner is the first book in a beloved children's series. It follows four orphaned siblings—Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny—who run away from their grandfather’s home to live in an abandoned boxcar in the woods. Despite their challenging circumstances, they create a cozy, self-sufficient home and begin to solve small mysteries around them. The story highlights themes of resourcefulness, family bonds, and the adventure of childhood.